![SEAWEED ALBUM -- A collection of original watercolours depicting 152 varieties of British marine algae on 113 leaves, each 333 x 203mm, unsigned and mounted in a folio album (380 x 270mm), [c. 1810], each plant with the Latin name at foot. (A few margins slightly browned.) Early 19th-century black half morocco over marbled boards, spine lettered "Sea Plants" in gilt (extremities worn). Provenance: Michael Tasburgh Anne; George Anne (bookplates of the Anne family of Burghwallis Hall near Doncaster, one overpasted).](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2004/CKS/2004_CKS_06952_0133_000(085703).jpg?w=1)
Details
SEAWEED ALBUM -- A collection of original watercolours depicting 152 varieties of British marine algae on 113 leaves, each 333 x 203mm, unsigned and mounted in a folio album (380 x 270mm), [c. 1810], each plant with the Latin name at foot. (A few margins slightly browned.) Early 19th-century black half morocco over marbled boards, spine lettered "Sea Plants" in gilt (extremities worn). Provenance: Michael Tasburgh Anne; George Anne (bookplates of the Anne family of Burghwallis Hall near Doncaster, one overpasted).
A FINE AND RARE ALBUM OF MARINE ALGAE drawn lifesize and showing a remarkable fidelity to detail. The subject matter must be accounted unusual. John Lightfoot (1735-1788), one of the founders of the Linnean Society, is known to have formed a herbarium containing algae. Here, a botanist of the next generation has used watercolour as a better means of preserving freshness of colour, and also of showing the extraordinary textual delicacy of these marine plants. In the majority of examples, there is one plant on each leaf; but in some cases as many as eight specimens are illustrated. There are very occasional notes in addition to the Latin names. For example, one Fucus is not specifically named but described as 'nova species,' with the appended note: 'Mr. Lightfoot's specimen is not in H: Mayrs Collection'. Several other specimens are described as 'nova species', a few are unnnamed, while Fucus Digittatus is called 'a very horny substance'.
A FINE AND RARE ALBUM OF MARINE ALGAE drawn lifesize and showing a remarkable fidelity to detail. The subject matter must be accounted unusual. John Lightfoot (1735-1788), one of the founders of the Linnean Society, is known to have formed a herbarium containing algae. Here, a botanist of the next generation has used watercolour as a better means of preserving freshness of colour, and also of showing the extraordinary textual delicacy of these marine plants. In the majority of examples, there is one plant on each leaf; but in some cases as many as eight specimens are illustrated. There are very occasional notes in addition to the Latin names. For example, one Fucus is not specifically named but described as 'nova species,' with the appended note: 'Mr. Lightfoot's specimen is not in H: May
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